New drivers in Northern Ireland face tough new graduated driving licence laws including limits on who they can give lifts

NEW drivers face tough new laws AFTER they pass their driving test under new plans. Limits will be placed on the number of passengers under-24s can carry as part of a graduated driving licence (GDL). Learners would have to take lessons for at least six months under the plans and “P” plates would be compulsory for two years after passing. The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed a “pilot” scheme will be launched in Northern Ireland. And if it proves successful it’ll be rolled out across the whole of the UK. Northern Ireland will introduce the new laws in 2019-2020 with consultation currently being finalised. It proposes to limit the number of teenage passengers under-24s can carry to one for the first six months after passing their test between 11pm and 6am. Immediate family members would be exempt, though, as part of the huge shake-up which follows test changes last year. The GDL would also force drivers to learn for six months before taking a test and have to display “R” plates (“P” plates in rest of the UK) for two years after passing. Northern Irish new drivers already have to fit “R” plates for a year and have a 45mph speed limit. Transport minister Jesse Norman wrote in a letter to Scottish SMP David Stewart: “The Department for Transport has decided to use the introduction of GDL [graduated driving licence] in Northern Ireland as a pilot to gather evidence on the potential for GDL in Great Britain.” know your… [Read full story]